Eid-ul-Adha (Religious event of Muslims)

Eid-ul-Adha (Religious event of Muslims)

Every religion engulfs various occasions and each is recognized for its own importance. Islam is a religion that gives rise to different occasions based on pure humanitarian features and promotes a message through it which every follower of Islam is expected to follow.

The root for the Eid al-Adha comes from the 196th verse of the 2nd Surah of the Quran. The word “Eid” appears once in the 5th Surah of the Quran, with the meaning “Solemn Festival”. The days of Eid have been singled out in the Hadith as “Days of Remembrance”. Muslims celebrate two Eids every year. The first one commences with the month of Shawal that is termed as Eid-ul-Fitar and the second is celebrated on the 10^th of Zilhaj which is the last Islamic month. This Eid is rejoiced with the name Eid-ul-Azah. There is a deep rooted significance of this Eid and has its importance engraved in the pillars of Islam.

Vitality of Eid-ul-Adah:

Eid ul Adha celebrations just start following the performing the Hajj on 10^th of Zil Hajj. This word Al-Hajj is basically derived from Arabic language which means to resolve or to intend for something. As a Muslim, everyone should have belief in the five basic pillars of Islam. Hajj is the last one but the most important one as Muslims perform pilgrimage to Allah Subhan Ta’lla’s House. Muslims leave for Makah and perform specific actions within a specific time period.

Criteria for performing Hajj:

Allah has made pilgrimage to his house as an obligation for those who fall under the following category:

• The one who is medically fit which means possessing good heath
• The one who is fearless which means peaceful
• The one who is wealthy that he can bear the expenses

This is the main criteria for performing Hajj. It is must atleast one in lifetime as there is a verse in Quran-e-Pak:

“As a right of Allah, it is obligatory upon people to perform Hajj of the house, whoever has the ability to manage the way to it” (Aali-Imran: 97)

“And announce among people about (obligation of) Hajj” (Al-Hajj: 27)

Importance in the light of Ahadith:

There is a hadith narrated by Sahi Muslim:

“Surely, Allah has made Hajj obligatory upon you, so do perform it”

“Whoever performed Hajj as there was no obscenity and no sin it, he turned back same as he was on the day his mother gave birth to him. (Sinless and forgiven)” (Bukhari Muslim)

History of Eid ul Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice):

Allah has created everything for a reason. Similarly, this occasion is also connected with the most prominent messenger of Allah, Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S).

The history reveals that once Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) saw a recurring dream in which he was sacrificing his own son Hazrat Ismail (A.S). He came to know that Allah wants him to follow his commandments which are specified in the dream. Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) at the age of 13 accepted and answered:

“Father, do what you have been commanded. You will find me, Insha Allah (God willing), to be very patient.”

He followed it because for every Muslim there should be no one as much important or more preferred than Allah Subhan WaTa’lla. His love for a human being is more than 70 mothers. He is the one who helps the broken people to stand up and gives a new hope so that they can see at the brighter side of the world then why shouldn’t a common person love Him when He is always there with us in the hour of need.

So Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) told Hazrat Ismail (AS) about his dream. Hazrat Ismail (A.S) accepted Allah’s will without asking even a single question that why so. This was an act of submission to commandments of Allah Almighty. Though he Hazrat Ismail (A.S) was the first son of Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) but he still didn’t, even once, hesitated to give his son’s life for the love of Allah Almighty.

As they were moving along the path, Satin (Shaitan) tried to confuse Hazrat Ismail (A.S) by stating that your father will kill you, don’t do this to yourself, run away. Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) used to stop, turn around and used to throw stones at him. About thrice this happened which is now considered an important step to be followed in Al-Hajj. This specific commandment is followed in Jamrat, a place in Saudi Arab, where Muslims have to throw stones at three symbolic pillars and then finally at the biggest satin.

At a specific point Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) stopped and asked Hazrat Ismail (A.S) to lie down and he himself (A.S) covered his both eyes with a black cloth so that he cannot see his own son being sacrificed. As soon as he (A.S) brought the knife near the throat, Allah replaced Hazrat Ismail (A.S) with a goat and the knife got the goat’s throat. This is the specific reason why people sacrifice goat and perform pilgrimage to Allah’s House.

The performance of Al-hajj and the celebrations of Eid-ul-Azah go hand in hand. Eid-ul-Azah is celebrated when the Muslims, who are there for the performance of this sacred pillar, performance all the instructions.

The three divine days of Eid-ul-Azha:

There are three days of this festival. On the first day Muslims offer prayer of Eid which is normally done early in the morning near 7:30 or 8:00am, it varies from mosque to mosque. After offering prayer, the Muslims perform sacrifices for Allah which can be a goat, cow or a camel. After this they celebrate a feast and enjoy this festival. The sacrificing of goats ends with the dawn of sun at the third day after which sacrificing is stopped.

The Sunnah of Preparation:

1)      There are Sunnah that need to be followed for getting the true love of Allah on the Day of Eid ul Adha

2)      Shariah is basically the lifestyle of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). Whatever he (P.B.U.H) did is termed as Shariah and Muslims are showered with the countless mercies if they follow Shariah.

3)      Make wudu (ablution) and offer Salat al-Fajr (the pre-sunrise prayer).

4)      Prepare for personal cleanliness – take care of details of clothing, etc.

5)      Dress up, putting on new or best clothes available.

6)      According to the Sunah, Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) first sacrificed his goat by himself and then first of all ate the liver of their sacrificed goat which is the Sunnah that everyone should follow.

7)      Males should sacrifice their goat by themselves and it is vital for women to see their goat being sacrificed so that they know the worth of life.

8)      The most important one is to recite the Takbeer before Sacrificing the animal so that he must not face extreme pain.

Takbeer:

Allahu Akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar

La ilaha illa Allah

Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar

Wa li-illahil-hamd

Translation:

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest,

There is no deity but Allah

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

and to Allah goes all praise

 

With the followings of Sunnah and the commandments of Allah, Muslims celebrate this day with the belief that Allah would help them to sacrifice their wishes for the happiness of others.

We hope that given Ahadees and references of Quranic Aya will be helpful for you. Our team wish You Eid Mubarik and also advice you to not to forget the poor people on this Eid as this Eid gives you Lesson of Sacrifice.